Gold is the new green

as we learn to live

with less water

California Gov. Jerry Brown imposed the first mandatory water use reductions on the state after four years of drought.

Once emerald green, my front lawn has been slowly turning golden as California’s four years of drought and local watering restrictions take their toll.
Suddenly, Mother Nature delivered us a paradoxical “gift”: record rainfall in mid-July!
While we all rejoiced at the sudden downpour, it is alas not going to alleviate the drought any time soon.
The seeds of the current water scarcity were sown a long time ago in far off places. The recent storm was not only in the wrong place at the wrong time; its bounty was far too little to make a real difference.
We are having to learn to live with less water.

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‘FAMILY VALUES’ ADVANCED BY SUPREME COURT RULING
With its historic decision on gay marriage, the Supreme Court has advanced the “family values” agenda in a big way. And, the US has become a “more perfect union.”
Even conservatives should join the celebration.
The Court’s finding of a constitutional protection for same sex marriage is an historic occasion at least on a par with its 1967 decision on interracial unions.
It moves the US into the modern era as a more egalitarian and tolerant society. It is not just for those directly affected.

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WHY SUPREME COURT WILL BLESS SAME-SEX UNIONS THIS TIME
A decision is imminent in the most closely watched Supreme Court case in recent memory – its consideration of same sex marriage. Few doubt the result.
New legal precedents and rapid social change make it almost certain that a 5-4 majority of the justices will find a constitutional reason to recognize gay marriage. It may even be a 6-3 vote.
It will be a welcome if delayed development.

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BERNIE SANDERS GAINS TRACTION WITH PLAIN SPEAKING, AUTHENTICITY
Bernie Sanders is a breath of fresh air in the presidential sweepstakes.
What sets the Senator from Vermont apart from all the other contenders in the 2016 race is his authenticity.
He believes what he says and says what he believes.
One might not agree with Sanders on all or even most of his positions, but having a candidate for the top office in the country who is unafraid to stake out populist positions on a host of issues is a refreshing change.

While US media paid scant attention, a top Chinese official swung through Latin America this week inking deals worth billions of dollars.
The strategic significance is enormous.
It is no wonder the authorities in Beijing are unconcerned about the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal from which they have been excluded. They clearly don’t need it. The have much more going for them in burgeoning bi-lateral deals and the nascent Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

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AMERICA’S GLOBAL INFLUENCE WANES ALONG WITH ITS MORAL AUTHORITY
Domestically and internationally, it is becoming ever more clear to growing numbers of people that the US has lost the moral authority to claim leadership of the free world.
Not even Jeb Bush wants anything to do with his brother’s legacy. Its no wonder the US ability to influence global events is at its lowest ebb in generations. It is setting an example few should want to emulate.
We should not be surprised that America’s interests are playing second fiddle to those of dictator-wannabees like Russia’s Putin and religious zealots like King Salman.

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AMERICA’S EXPERT DAVID SIMON LAYS BARE ROOTS OF TRAGIC EVENTS
To truly understand the recent strife in Baltimore, one need consult only America’s foremost expert on the thoroughly corrupt criminal justice system in that city.
Former Baltimore Sun police reporter and acclaimed television producer David Simon almost predicted an explosion of resentment in Baltimore in his acclaimed five-season HBO dramatic series The Wire.
Just before Baltimore erupted in flames, in a conversation with President Obama on March 26, 2015, Simon nailed the problem and offered the solution: end the “war on drugs” immediately and redirect all the resources to treatment, job training and economic reindustrialization.

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MASSIVE ANTHEM BREACH MORE SERIOUS THAN MERE CREDIT CARD HEISTS
The revelation that hackers stole about 80 million customer records of one of the largest health insurers has laid bare the vulnerability of vital personal data held by medical providers.
It reveals the soft underbelly of massive, online healthcare databases that are difficult to protect and expose virtually everyone to devastating harm.
In an increasingly connected world, data security must be at the top of the agenda of those who hold the keys to so many people’s identity.

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SELF-CENSORSHIP ON THE RISE IN WAKE OF FRANCE’S NIGHTMARE
The horrific three-day terrorism spree in France has evoked a spirited and widespread debate over limits to offensive speech.
It is most difficult to defend free speech rights when the content is hateful, denigrating or offensive. But this is when they must be most vigorously defended; otherwise we risk embarking on a slippery slope towards the darkness of censorship.
The events in France challenge our tolerance. Let’s hope we can meet it head on, and not cave to those who would silence critics, however sharp their criticism.

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BRAZEN ATTACKS SHRED FAITH IN DATA SECURITY
The major hacks of data at Target and Sony bookend a year in which data privacy and security have been a dominant theme in the news.
Never before has it seemed we are such risk from unseen, unknown threats. You are not alone if you have little faith that government and businesses cannot be trusted with your data.
Technical fixes are good, but there can be no substitute for exercising caution when using electronic communications of all types. Awareness is the most important starting point for all of us.